𝐈𝐭 𝐇𝐚𝐝 𝐓𝐨 𝐁𝐞 𝐘𝐨𝐮 (𝐂𝐄𝐃𝐑𝐈𝐂 𝐃𝐈𝐆𝐆𝐎𝐑𝐘 𝐱 𝐑𝐄𝐀𝐃𝐄𝐑)

7: Shrivelfigs

Y/N PERSPECTIVE

I got dressed quickly the next day, hoping to get to herbology early. Life seemed more exciting now that I realized I had a crush, and I couldn't wait to see Cedric in class.

Last night, back in our room, I told Elaine what happened between me and Cedric. How it felt like we almost could have kissed. 

"You should have just gone for it!" she had squealed excitedly. 

"I don't even know if he likes me back!" I complained. 

"He asked you to study in his room! ALONE TOGETHER!" she was shaking my shoulders.

"Yeah... yeah you're right!" I was feeling more hopeful.

"Make a move! It's now or never, Y/N!"

Remembering the conversation from last night excited me, and I changed my pace from a walk to a run as I made my way towards herbology.

★゜・。。・゜゜・。。・゜☆゜・。。・゜゜・。。・゜★

"Okay class, today we'll be preparing some shrivelfig to be pickled and jarred for Professor Snape's potions class," began Professor Sprout.

It was a cool, crisp morning, and weak beams of early sun streamed through the dirt-smeared greenhouse windows. Class had begun, but Cedric still wasn't there.

I looked all around me, making sure I hadn't missed him.

"You'll be partnering up to remove your shrivelfig from the potted trees and pickle them, since there are more of you than there are figs."

Sweetpea Squabs, the only other Hufflepuff in the room, was standing next to me. I groaned inwardly, but if I had to partner with Squabs she would at least take over and make sure we did everything right. Maybe it wouldn't be so bad. Better than partnering with a Slytherin.

I looked up, and from across the greenhouse, Bishop Crooks sneered at me. Elitist prick.

"Sweetpea, would you want to be my–" 

"No. I'd rather have a partner who will actually do something, thank you very much," she huffed, and stalked away. Whatever. It was a long shot anyway.

As I was nervously looking around the room of hostile faces for a partner, I heard the greenhouse door snap shut. I looked up.

Cedric.

"Ah, Diggory. You can partner with miss Y/N, just over there. She doesn't appear to be settled yet," Professor Sprout said with a smile.

Perfect.

Cedric looked up emotionlessly and made his way towards me, then reached for the shears on the table and began trimming our shrivelfigs off the branch of the small potted tree behind us. The plump, purple fruit oozed juice onto the table, and he swiped it off with a cloth. We were supposed to collect the juice, but he missed the first few days, so he didn't know.

"Late on the first day!" I joked, reaching for a jar to collect the juices before he lost anymore. "Did you sleep in or something?"

He responded, but didn't turn to look at me. "Um, no, just got a little lost I guess..."

Lost? 6 full years at Hogwarts and he still got lost? I didn't buy it, but didn't question him further.

For the better part of the class, Cedric ignored me. What could have possibly happened?? Just last night I swore we were going to kiss. Maybe I was right, after all, and he didn't like me.

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When class finally ended, Cedric picked up his things and walked straight towards the door without saying goodbye. I tried to push past the crush of students who were funneling through the tiny door, but I got stuck at the back of the group.

By the time I made it out of the room, Cedric was nearly halfway across the grounds and striding back towards the castle.

"Cedric!" I called. Maybe I was being pathetic and desperate. Maybe I should give him the space he clearly wants. But I had to know what was going on.

He paused, and looked over his shoulder. I ran to catch up until I was finally by his side.

"What happened? You seem upset," I asked.

"Oh, so now you DO want my attention?" he replied harshly, under his breath.

I took a step back. "W-what? What did I do?"

"Don't worry about it, Y/N. I can take a hint. No need to spare my feelings," he murmured, and continued on towards the castle.

My heart shattered into a million pieces. What was I supposed to say to that? 

I didn't follow him.

★゜・。。・゜゜・。。・゜☆゜・。。・゜゜・。。・゜★